Finding Unauthorized Faith…

The birth of the Golden Trio comes about because of a troll. At the moment Quirrell bursts into the Great Hall, Hermione is off in a bathroom crying her eyes out because Ron hurt her feelings. Sound familiar? If you’ve read the series enough, you’ll know there was another girl who cried her eyes out in a bathroom because of hurt feelings, only she never recovered. Her name is Moaning Myrtle.

Rowling is known for her mirror characters—Neville and Peter Pettigrew, Malfoy’s gang and the Trio, the twin characters, etc. Moaning Myrtle is a mirror of what Hermione could have become if she hadn’t made one crucial decision.

The common room was packed and noisy. Everyone was eating the food that had been sent up. Hermione, however, stood alone by the door, waiting for them. There was a very embarrassed pause. Then, none of them looking at each other, they all said “Thanks,” and hurried off to get plates.

But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them. ~ Stone p. 178

Hermione chose to forgive. And not just that, but to befriend the two boys who crushed her and then locked her in a bathroom with a troll. From being enemies, they became friends because they put aside their hurt pride, did the hard but right thing in saving each other, and thanked one another letting bygones be bygones.

Let’s be honest, I don’t think at age 11 I would have taken the Hermione route. The moment I hit the Common Room, I would have gone straight to my room and hid out. Actually, I probably would have sent an owl to my parents and requested to go home. But look at what I would have missed! One of the greatest adventures and friendships ever. Not to mention, Harry and Ron would not become who they became in the end (or survived, let’s get real) if not for Hermione.

Lesson to me (and maybe you), bitterness and unforgiveness robs us of great things. And it robs others of great things too. Without this act of forgiveness, who knows if Harry would have ever defeated Voldy?

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either.Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ~ Luke 6:27-36 ESV